Peoria Standard

City of Peoria City Council met July 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A Regular Meeting of the Joint City Council and Town Board of Peoria, Illinois, was held on July 11, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, with Mayor Ali presiding, and with proper notice having been posted.

ROLL CALL

Roll Call showed the following Council Members were present: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9. Absent: Jackson, Riggenbach - 2.

INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Ali requested a moment of silent prayer or reflection and then she led the pledge of allegiance.

PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC.

Great Neighbor Appreciation Week - July 8th-14th

MINUTES

Council Member Velpula moved to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting held on June 27, 2023, as printed; seconded by Council Member Kelly.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS - TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

(23-248) REQUEST from the Town Officials to APPROVE the JUNE 2023 ACTUAL EXPENDITURES and to APPROVE the JULY 2023 ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES for the Town of the City of Peoria.

Trustee Grayeb moved to approve the June 2023 actual expenditures and to approve the July 2023 anticipated expenditures for the Town of the City of Peoria; seconded by Trustee Allen.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Chairwoman Ali - 9: Nays: None.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OF PEORIA

(23-249) CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE, with Recommendations as Outlined:

Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request to Concur with the Recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission and Staff to ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 18,090 Approving a SPECIAL USE in a Class I-1 (Industrial/Business Park) District for a Carpet Cleaning Business, for the Property Located at 9601 N. ALLEN ROAD (Part of Parcel Identification No. 09-31-300-007, Designated as Lot 1), Peoria, IL. (Council District 5)

(23-250) APPOINTMENT and REAPPOINTMENT by Mayor Ali to the PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES with a Request to Concur:

Councilman Charles V. Grayeb (Non-Voting) - Term Expires N/A Melissa Whitney-Sanchez (Voting) - Term Expires 6/30/2026

(23-251) REAPPOINTMENT by Mayor Ali to the PEORIA URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY BOARD with a Request to Concur:

Douglas McCarty (Voting) – Term Expiration 6/30/2026

(23-252) APPOINTMENT by Mayor Ali to the PEORIA AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS with a Request to Concur:

Roberta English (Voting) – Term Expiration 6/30/2024

Mayor Ali questioned if the Council wished to have any of the Consent Agenda items removed for further discussion.

Council Member Grayeb requested Item No. 23-250 be removed from the Consent Agenda so he could make a motion to divide the question in order for him to abstain from voting on his appointment. Corporation Counsel Hayes said Council Members can not only appoint members to a commission, they can also vote in favor of their own appointment to a nonprofit entity on behalf of the City of Peoria without any conflict of interest, in accordance with Illinois State Law. Council Member Grayeb withdrew his request to remove Item No. 23-250 from the Consent Agenda.

Council Member Cyr moved to approve the Consent Agenda items as outlined in the Council Communications; seconded by Council Member Allen.

Item Nos. 23-249 through 23-252 were approved by roll call vote under the Omnibus Vote Designation.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

FIRST READINGS

(23-253) Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to RECEIVE and FILE the FIRST READING of an ORDINANCE Amending the RULES of the City Council.

A revised Ordinance highlighting proposed changes to the Council Rules was distributed to all Council Members.

Corporation Counsel Hayes said the revised Ordinance contained changes to the Council Rules including modernized language and incorporated clarifications and changes as recommended by Staff and Council Members. He asked the Council to contact the Legal Department if they were interested in additional changes before the Ordinance was presented to the Council for adoption at a subsequent meeting, noting the deadline to adopt the Ordinance was within ninety (90) days of the commencement of terms of newly elected At-Large or District Council Members, which could be extended by any newly seated Council as needed.

Council Member Cyr moved to receive and file the first reading of an Ordinance amending the rules of the City Council; seconded by Council Member Oyler.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

(23-254) Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to RECEIVE and FILE a FIRST READING of an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 3 of the MUNICIPAL CODE of the City of Peoria, to Add Language to WITHDRAW A SITE APPROVAL APPLICATION FOR LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS Before City Council Consideration.

Corporation Counsel Hayes explained the proposed change to the Code of the City of Peoria would serve to codify current procedures to avoid issues and potential lawsuits by allowing applicants to withdraw a Site Approval application for liquor establishments prior to City Council consideration.

Council Member Kelly moved to receive and file a first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code of the City of Peoria, to add language to withdraw a Site Approval application for liquor establishments before City Council consideration; seconded by Council Member Allen.

In response to Council Member Cyr regarding the difference in withdrawal versus a denial of an application, Corporation Counsel Hayes said a denial imposed a time delay for resubmission while a withdrawal did not impose conditions for application resubmission.

Motion to receive and file a first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code of the City of Peoria, to add language to withdraw a Site Approval application for liquor establishments before City Council consideration was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-255) Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to RECEIVE and FILE a FIRST READING of an ORDINANCE Amending the UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE of the City of Peoria, to Add Language to WITHDRAW AN APPLICATION FOR A ZONING CHANGE, Before City Council Consideration.

Corporation Counsel Hayes explained the proposed change to the Code of the City of Peoria would serve to codify current procedures to avoid issues and potential lawsuits by allowing applicants to withdraw an application for a zoning change prior to City Council consideration.

Council Member Kelly moved to receive and file a first reading of an Ordinance amending the Unified Development Code of the City of Peoria, to add language to withdraw an application for a zoning change, before City Council consideration; seconded by Council Member Velpula.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

REGULAR BUSINESS ITEMS, with Recommendations as Outlined:

(23-256) Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller with a Request to RECEIVE and FILE the Month-Ended MAY 31, 2023, UNAUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT.

City Manager Urich said in response to Council Member Cyr's request at the last meeting, the Financial Report was placed on Regular Business to allow for questions and discussions. Finance Director Cratty discussed the status of the City's revenues and expenses in 2023.

Discussions were held regarding the City Council Budget and whether the strategic planning process fell under said budget. Discussions were also held regarding the Civic Center debt service, and Director Kratty said the first payment was due December 2023, noting interest only would be paid until 2029.

Council Member Cyr commented on the improved position of the City's Budget since he had been on the Council, and he asked Director Cratty about future concerns. Director Cratty said the projected recession and pension fund obligations were top concerns.

Council Member Cyr moved to receive and file the month-ended May 31, 2023, unaudited Financial Report; seconded by Council Member Oyler.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-257) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request to APPROVE Funding for the VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM, in the Amount of $1,416,581.31.

City Manager Urich said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Advisory Commission was tasked to review applications and make recommendations on Violence Prevention funding allocations. Community Development Director Joe Dulin said $1.5 million had been allocated in 2023 to fund violence prevention efforts with the fund allocations coming as follows: $700,000.00 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, $500,000.00 of an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant, and $300,000.00 of a DCEO Grant specified for workforce training. He said six of the twenty-six total applications were selected for funding as a result of the scoring process, and he listed the six awardees listed in the packets, noting representatives from each organization were present to answer questions as needed.

In response to Council Member Cyr regarding information on the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission, Director Dulin described the commission composition and mission, as well as their experience processing and scoring requests for funding to provide recommendations for allocation. He said the guidelines and process for the Violence Prevention Program funding allocations utilizing the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission was drafted by City Staff and approved by the Council.

Council Member Cyr requested a Report Back regarding ongoing efforts and accountability of the violence prevention funding allocated in October 2022. Director Dulin noted reports had been provided to the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission and the information would be provided to the Council.

After she said there were many organizations not allocated funding at this time that performed important work and services in the community, Council Member Gordon-Young asked if those applicants received feedback on how they might improve their applications for future funding applications to provide a greater opportunity for success. Director Dulin said the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commissioners provided comments regarding the applications that would be provided to the applicants.

In response to Council Member Velpula and Vespa regarding recurring funding allocations and criteria regarding selection, Director Dulin summarized the process the Commission used to evaluate and score the applications.

Council Member Velpula inquired about the workforce training initiative of the Friendship House of Christian Services, and Director Dulin invited Marcellus Sommerville to provide an outline of the proposed program.

Marcellus Sommerville, Chief Executive Officer at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, provided an overview of the Pathway to Your Future program that helped high school age students obtain skills and knowledge for jobs and partnered with businesses for apprenticeship opportunities. He discussed the virtual reality program that provided a different source for education and guidance on career path development.

Discussions were held regarding organizations awarded violence prevention funding multiple times, the different programs presented, as well as the criteria for scoring and selection. The guidelines that were approved by the Council was also discussed.

Council Member Velpula expressed a concern that the same organizations were receiving funding this time around as last time.

Council Member Vespa also noted the same organizations received funding this time as last time, and he inquired whether there was a different type of scoring used for second-time applicants. He commented that even though they are the same organizations, the programs may not necessarily be the same.

A Representative from Goodwill said their request was for a similar amount in order to extend their program, noting it was the same program and they were seeing success. She said this round of funding would allow Goodwill to continue with the program.

Council Member Allen said the Council already agreed to a process. He suggested amendments to the guidelines be presented to Director Dulin and the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission prior to the next round of funding allocations.

Council Member Oyler said after analyzing the decisions made by the Council regarding the program previously, while taking into account the status of crime-related incidents in the community since then, he said he wondered if this was the best use of the funds. He said he was not ready to support the item as presented, considering some funds were allocated to other taxing bodies with the ability to request funding on their own, and with no results reported back to the Council on how previously allocated funds were impacting the community.

In response to Council Member Grayeb regarding whether the Council had to vote on the items as outline, Director Dulin said the only requirement was the $300,000.00 had to be specified for workforce training.

Council Member Grayeb said he was a former liaison to the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission, and he said he understood the great efforts they made that greatly impacted the City, but he said because there were worthy organizations in the community that were not awarded funding while a large taxing body received a large allocation of resources, he could not support approving funds for Peoria Public Schools. He questioned the impact of improving literacy of students at a second-grade level on violence prevention efforts, and he suggested sending those funds back to the Commission for reallocation to another organization. He said he supported Peoria Public Schools' mission, and he said he would support most of the rest of the proposed funding allocations as presented, but other organizations should be given a chance to utilize the Violence Prevention Program funding.

Mayor Ali asked about the eligibility for entities to apply for the Violence Prevention Program funding outlined in the guidelines approved by the Council. Director Dulin explained that nonprofit organizations, organizations filed as a 501(c)3, as well as government entities were not only eligible, but were actively invited to apply for funding.

Council Member Kelly moved to approve funding for the Violence Prevention Program, in the amount of $1,416,581.31; seconded by Council Member Allen.

Council Member Kelly said he made the motion to approve the list as outlined because the CDBG Public Service Advisory Commission followed the rules the Council approved. He said a Policy Session would be appropriate to discuss potential amendments to guidelines for future funding allocations; however, he said changes should not be imposed on the current proposal. He said he was not in favor of allocating funds to taxing bodies, which he said he noted at the time the guidelines were approved, because they could apply for their own funding. He said it was the role of the City to provide funding for community organizations and nonprofit organizations who were more dependent on the City for funds. He said the Council had not established a policy for reporting progress of the programs, which should also be addressed at the Policy Session. He asked the Council to consider this item with the rules previously established, and to schedule a Policy Session to determine the future guidelines and procedures.

Council Member Gordon-Young asked the representatives from each organization to provide a summary of the programs in their applications.

Hearing no objection, Mayor Ali granted privilege of the floor to the six representatives:

Monica Hendrickson, Chief Administrative Officer and Public Health Administrator at the Peoria City/County Health Department, said this was the second round of funding for the Cure Violence initiative, an evidence-based program to address violence in the community. She said the assessment conducted identified the East Bluff and the South Side of Peoria as areas that would benefit from the program, and this funding would expand efforts to the South Side and continue building in the East Bluff. She said it was sometimes challenging to garner funds as a government entity because many were specified for nonprofit organizations only, and she noted violence in the community was a public health issue that required collaborative efforts.

Elizabeth Crider, Regional Superintendent at Peoria Regional Office of Education, said her organization could not impose taxes or create rules, and she discussed truancy statistics, trends, and concerns. She talked about best practices to address truancy through the reestablishment of a truancy advisory board with the provided funding. She said school attendance would stop the violence early, noting ticketing under-resourced families was not the solution, and she said the focus would be on younger students.

Andrew Thornton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA, said the funding would support the Teen REACH program.

Gary House, Sports & Teen Outreach Director at the Great Peoria Family YMCA, said the Teen REACH program already serving youth in the community through tutoring, life skill education, and mentorship, needed periodic updates to enhance the experience and sustain engagement. He described plans to build a kitchen and to partner with organizations for mentorship and employment opportunities in order to provide as much as possible for the community.

Dr. Susan Grzanich, Innovation and Grants Officer for Peoria Public Schools, said poor literacy was linked to disciplinary issues and violence, and the proposed extended learning days with reading program would bridge the gap for younger students to promote success at school and improved life choices. She discussed the Peoria Violence Prevention curriculum that recruited students to help create messaging for peers after learning about anti-bullying and more, and she said counseling services outside the school day would also be available for families. She said it was important to address literacy concerns in young children for long term results.

Lori Johnson, Director of Program Services at Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, said the Revive: Youth Mental Health Support program focused on mental health of youth related to justice and violence prevention, including access to care and addressing negative stigma surrounding mental health care. She said the funding would provide for a Youth Mental Health Advocate going to schools and local agencies to speak to youth in groups and individually for conflict resolution skills, screening for mental health concerns, and helping families navigate mental health care options and education. She reviewed additional positions funded through other sources and their overall mission.

Council Member Vespa said he supported the organizations represented that evening, and he said it did not matter that Peoria Public Schools was a taxing body that could also apply for funding. He said providing funding to promote literacy in young students could free up their own funding for other initiatives, such as enhanced security, and he said he supported the proposal.

Council Member Oyler said ensuring school attendance was very important, but he said funds should be allocated to deal with the most critical aspects to directly impact violence in the community. He said he did not support all proposed funding allocations as presented together.

Council Member Allen said citizens were interested in addressing the root causes of violence in the community, and providing literacy of young students and job skills for older students were legitimate uses of the funding. He said he respected the comments made by the Council, but he asked Council Members to approve the item in order to make a wholistic difference in the community.

Council Member Velpula said he was interested in funding organizations that had not received Violence Preventing funding previously, and he said it was important to provide information to the organizations that were not chosen to allow them the opportunity to improve applications in the future.

Continued discussions were held on the guidelines and requirements for applying for the Violence Prevention funding, the criteria and scoring of the applications, and how much funding was needed to be impactful for the proposed programs. Mayor Ali said the City was supporting programs with specified criteria, not organizations directly. She said she agreed a Policy Session would provide an opportunity to define the criteria going forward, but she asked the Council to consider the criteria approved for this round of funding for the proposed allocations. Council Member Grayeb said the Council was asking legitimate questions to ensure tax dollars were being spent in an impactful intended manner.

Continued discussions were held regarding how truancy was addressed, proposed solutions, and program sustainability. The impact of improving literacy of second-grade students on preventing violence was also discussed.

Mayor Ali said asking questions was important, but she said she discouraged changing the rules after they were previously approved by the Council for the funding allocations. Continued discussions were held on the established rules and the proposed funding allocation amounts as presented.

Council Member Cyr said he agreed the Council should revisit the guidelines for the funding in the future, noting they had the power to determine how the City's funds were allocated in all aspects. He said the Council should focus on supporting and growing the City and he asked Council Members to take care in discussions. He said his main objective was to obtain the Report Back on the 2022 Violence Prevention Program funding allocation progress in order to have a productive conversation.

Council Member Grayeb said he had difficulty understanding the scoring process, and he said it was important to diversify the funding allocations for the greatest community impact. He said he would not vote to support the approval of funding allocations if they were combined together as presented on the agenda.

Council Member Oyler moved for a substitute motion to divide the question for the City Council to vote on each funding allocation separately; seconded by Council Member Grayeb.

Substitute motion to divide the question was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa – 6; Nays: Allen, Kelly, Mayor Ali - 3.

Council Member Oyler moved to approve funding for the Greater Peoria YMCA for Teen REACH in the amount of $200,000.00; seconded by Council Member Cyr.

Motion to approve funding for the Greater Peoria YMCA for Teen REACH, in the amount of $200,000.00, was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Cyr made a point of order regarding the original motion on the floor. Corporation Counsel Hayes said because a substitute motion was made to divide the question, it superseded the original motion, and the proposed allocations should be considered separately.

Council Member Oyler moved to deny funding for Peoria Public Schools for Getting to the Roots in the amount of $299,966.00; seconded by Council Member Grayeb.

Motion to deny funding for Peoria Public Schools for Getting to the Roots, in the amount of $299,966.00, was DEFEATED by roll call vote.

Yeas: Grayeb, Oyler - 2; Nays: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Kelly, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 7.

After Corporation Counsel Hayes suggested proposing affirmative motions to avoid confusion, Council Member Kelly moved to approve funding for Peoria Public Schools for Getting to the Roots in the amount of $299,966.00; seconded by Council Member Allen.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Kelly, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 7; Nays: Grayeb, Oyler - 2.

Council Member Oyler moved to approve funding for the Peoria Regional Office of Education for Project S.T.A.R.T., in the amount of $175,000.00, seconded by Council Member Grayeb.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Allen moved to approve funding for the Peoria City/County Health Department for Cure Violence, in the amount of $400,000.00; seconded by Council Member Velpula.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Kelly, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 6; Nays: Grayeb, Oyler, Velpula - 3.

Council Member Allen moved to approve funding for Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois for Revive: Youth Mental Health Support, in the amount of $54,115.31; seconded by Council Member Kelly.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Allen moved to approve funding for the Friendship House of Christian Services for Workforce Training, Pathway to Your Future, in the amount of $287,500.00; seconded by Council Member Grayeb.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 8; Nays: Velpula - 1.

Mayor Ali said successfully impacting violence reduction in Peoria would require collaboration from government entities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and members of the community. She said she welcomed a Policy Session to address expectations, but she expressed concern over the division presented that evening, noting she hoped for more openness going forward.

CLERK'S NOTE:

(23-258) See Mayor Ali's comment under Unfinished Business for additional comment.

Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller with a Request to APPROVE an INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT with the PEORIA CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY to Provide for Operations of the Peoria Civic Center.

City Manager Urich said this Intergovernmental Agreement would formalize direction given by the Council regarding the Peoria Civic Center earlier in 2023.

Finance Director Kyle Cratty said the agreement would guarantee support for the Civic Center through 2028 and permit the Civic Center to hold interest earned in a separate account until they have met the spend-down requirements in response to the current interest rate environment.

Discussions were held regarding the guaranteed annual commitment level of HRA funds or from the General Fund if HRA revenues were not sufficient, the scheduled repayment of the General Fund, as needed, starting in 2029 when the first debt service concluded, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant funds awarded to the Civic Center for capital improvements with a Bridge Loan approved by the Council, which may no longer be necessary due to this Intergovernmental Agreement, that was initiated to provide funds in response to the reimbursement feature of the DCEO Grant. Accountability requirements of the Intergovernmental Agreement and an overview of current capital improvement progress was also discussed.

Continued discussions were held regarding the guaranteed commitment amount to the Civic Center as outlined in the Intergovernmental Agreement, how the funding was dispersed, and how a gap in Hotel Restaurant and Amusement (HRA) tax revenues would be addressed.

Council Member Cyr moved to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Peoria Civic Center Authority to provide operations of the Peoria Civic Center; seconded by Council Member Allen.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-259) Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to APPROVE a RESOLUTION Adopting the Civility Pledge.

Corporation Counsel Hayes said the Illinois Municipal League (IML) asked municipalities to consider adopting a civility pledge in response to frictions between governmental bodies, members of the bodies, and members of the bodies with constituents that were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to improve communication and establish a set of ideals. He said the proposed Resolution would complement the existing terms in the Code of Conduct.

After she said she gladly voted to adopt this initiative as a member of the IML Board, Mayor Ali read the Civility Pledge Resolution.

Council Member Kelly moved to approve a Resolution adopting the Civility Pledge; seconded by Council Member Gordon-Young.

RESOLUTION NO. 23-259 was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-260) Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Approving a PREDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT with PARAMOUNT SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC., for the Feasibility Analysis of a Parking Garage with First Floor Commercial Space through a Public Private Partnership.

City Manager Urich said there were many developments and projects in the Warehouse District that would be impacted by additional and convenient parking solutions, and he said Staff looked at ways to creatively construct a public-private partnership project to facilitate that. He said representatives from Paramount Solutions Group were present that evening to answer questions regarding the proposed project from the design phase all the way to operation strategies. He said this was a Predevelopment Agreement in order to determine the feasibility of the project and how to progress efficiently with a scope of services, legal due diligence, design work, architect selection, and financial aspects, at a cost of $110,000.00. He said the proposed location was owned by the City and was located in the 800-900 block of Washington Street.

Quintin Smith, of Paramount Solutions Group, said the Predevelopment Agreement afforded flexibility and a vision of the entire project and outlook of the parking garage. He reviewed the predevelopment process and determinations that would provide the opportunity for changes before the final agreement was agreed upon.

Council Member Oyler moved to adopt an Ordinance approving a Predevelopment Agreement with Paramount Solutions Group, LLC., for the feasibility analysis of a parking garage with first floor commercial space through a public-private partnership; seconded by Council Member Allen.

ORDINANCE NO. 18,091 was adopted by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-261) Communication from the City Manager, Corporation Counsel, and Director of Community Development with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Placing a 90-Day MORATORIUM on TOBACCO LICENSES in the City of Peoria.

Corporation Counsel Hayes said in response to direction given at the previous meeting from Council Member Grayeb, Staff drafted an Ordinance implementing a 90-day moratorium on tobacco licenses. He explained moratoriums were generally disfavored under the law, noting it was important to establish an expiration and reasons for the action, which he said were incorporated in the draft Ordinance. He said Staff was prepared to review existing licenses to determine appropriate classification suggestions, fees and licensing structure, and other details before presenting a recommendation to the Council. He discussed concerns with existing stand- alone tobacco shops in the City, and he said proposed changes to regulations would be similar to the existing liquor license regulatory environment.

In response to existing applications that were submitted prior to the request for a temporary moratorium at the previous Council Meeting, Corporation Counsel Hayes requested an amendment to the draft Ordinance to allow them to proceed through the current process in fairness to those applicants.

Council Member Grayeb movedto amend the Ordinance to add a section providing "pending tobacco license applications for the following establishments shall not be subject to the moratorium and shall be processed and issued or denied pursuant to the City Municipal Code, policies and procedures presently in effect:

Griswold Foods Market (formerly Southside Market – 1840 S Griswold)

Vapor Maun IL, LLC #1 (4410 N Knoxville Ave St A)

Vapor Maun IL, LLC #2 (2529 W War Memorial Dr)

Stop N Save (800 NE Jefferson);"

seconded by Council Member Velpula.

Discussions were held regarding clarifying definitions of different types of tobacco products, as well as communication and information provided to applicants during the 90-day moratorium.

In response to Council Member Kelly regarding the motion on the floor, Corporation Counsel Hayes said the motion was to amend the draft Ordinance presented to the Council as outlined, noting an additional motion and vote would be required to adopt the Ordinance placing a 90-day moratorium on tobacco licenses after the current motion was voted on.

Motion to amend the Ordinance to add a section providing "pending tobacco license applications for the following establishments shall not be subject to the moratorium and shall be processed and issued or denied pursuant to the City Municipal Code, policies and procedures presently in effect: Griswold Foods Market (formerly Southside Market - 1840 S Griswold), Vapor Maun IL, LLC #1 (4410 N Knoxville Ave St A), Vapor Maun IL, LLC #2 (2529 W War Memorial Dr), Stop N Save (800 NE Jefferson)" was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Grayeb moved to adopt an Ordinance placing a 90-day moratorium on Tobacco Licenses in the City of Peoria, as amended; seconded by Council Member Velpula.

Council Member Kelly said he did not support the moratorium on tobacco licenses because the Council did not agree with the number of establishments opening in the City, noting they would not be making a profit if there was, in fact a surplus of them. He said a moratorium was overboard and restricted business owners for no reason. He said it was important to address illegal sales of products in some establishments through increased penalties, and he said he would not vote to adopt the Ordinance.

Mayor Ali said 90 days was the maximum time for the moratorium, noting she hoped a solution was approved sooner than that after due diligence was completed. Corporation Counsel Hayes summarized ongoing efforts of the working group tasked with addressing the amendments to tobacco licensing, noting they were working as quickly as possible to bring a resolution proposal back to the City Council for consideration.

Council Member Vespa said he supported the moratorium, noting he preferred a quick resolution narrowly focused on establishments with more than 50% of revenues from tobacco. He said this was a public safety issue with appropriate reasons to amend regulations.

In response to Council Member Cyr regarding the number of Vape Shops in Peoria, City Manager Urich said there was a total of 114 tobacco licenses but no information was available for the number of Vape Shops.

In response to Council Member Kelly regarding canceling the moratorium, Corporation Counsel Hayes said canceling the moratorium would require additional Council action to repeal this Ordinance, if adopted, once the approved amended regulations were in effect.

ORDINANCE NO. 18,092 was adopted, as amended, by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 8; Nays: Kelly - 1.

(23-262) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request for the Following:

A. APPROVE and Accept a GRANT of $7,000,000.00 from the ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (DCEO) for Construction and Pre-Development Work on MACARTHUR HIGHWAY; and,

B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2023 REVISED ANNUAL BUDGET Relating to the Capital Fund, to Recognize the Receipt of Grant Funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for Construction and Pre- Development Work on MACARTHUR HIGHWAY, in the Amount of $7,000,000.00. (Requires 2/3 Vote of Council Members Voting - No Less than 6 Votes)

City Manager Urich said Community Development Department Staff worked with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to garner the Grant. Community Development Director Dulin said $10 million was allocated to the MacArthur Highway project two years before in the State of Illinois Capital Budget, and $7 million had been released to the City to begin the project. He said an engineering contract would be presented to the Council for consideration at a later date for the project, and he detailed the breakdown of the funds for the project in the 61605 zip code.

After Director Dulin said Community Development Staff was involved in the project because of their grant application experience before the project would be taken over by the Public Works Department, Council Member Kelly moved to approve and accept a grant of $7,000,000.00 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for construction and pre-development work on MacArthur Highway; seconded by Council Member Gordon-Young.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Kelly moved to adopt an Ordinance amending the City of Peoria 2023 Revised Annual Budget relating to the Capital Fund, to recognize the receipt of grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for construction and pre- development work on MacArthur Highway, in the amount of $7,000,000.00; seconded by Council Member Allen.

ORDINANCE NO. 18,093 amending the City of Peoria 2023 Revised Annual Budget relating to the Capital Fund, to recognize the receipt of grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for construction and pre- development work on MacArthur Highway, in the amount of $7,000,000.00 was adopted by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

(23-263) Communication from the City Manager and Fire Chief with a Request for the Following:

A. APPROVE and Accept a GRANT from the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) for the ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG), in the Amount of $18,000.00; and,

B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2023 REVISED ANNUAL BUDGET Relating to the General Fund, to Recognize the Receipt of Grant Funding from FEMA for the ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTES GRANT (AFG), in the Amount of $18,000.00. (Requires 2/3 Vote of Corporate Members Voting - No Less Than 6 Votes)

Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger said after receiving the 2022 FEMA SAFER Grant for hiring additional firefighters, Staff applied for the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant that reimbursed costs for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Training for those firefighters.

Council Member Velpula moved to approve and accept a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), in the amount of $18,000.00; seconded by Council Member Gordon-Young.

Approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali - 9; Nays: None.

Council Member Velpula moved to adopt an Ordinance amending the City of Peoria 2023 Revised Annual Budget relating to the General Fund, to recognize the receipt of grant funding from FEMA for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), in the amount of $18,000.00; seconded by Council Member Gordon-Young.

ORDINANCE NO. 18,094 was adopted by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Including but not limited to motions to reconsider items, if any from the previous Regular Meeting)

Mayor Ali thanked the members of the Community Development Block Grant Public Service Advisory Commission for their efforts and extra time spent reviewing all the applications for Violence Prevention Funding. She also thanked Community Development Staff for their leadership, time, and efforts in that process.

NEW BUSINESS

It was determined there was no New Business to address at that time.

CITIZENS' OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL/TOWN BOARD

Hearing no objection, Mayor Ali granted privilege of the floor to those citizens wishing to address the City Council/Town Board as follows:

Terry Burnside, a citizen of Peoria and Executive Director of House of Hope Peoria, thanked the Council for the allocation of funds for violence prevention efforts in Peoria. He said his small nonprofit organization applied for funding but was not chosen, and he said he would appreciate a reconsideration of qualifications to give other entities a chance at funding.

Vivian Taylor, a new Peoria resident, suggested the Council consider moving the Citizen's Opportunity to Address the City Council portion of the agenda to earlier in the meeting to provide a more convenient time for citizens.

Jonathan Vota, a citizen of Peoria, asked the Council to consider transit and biking infrastructure in all road improvement and construction projects in the City, noting safety concerns in areas without a physical barrier to bike lanes. He said it was important to not only consider business and private interests when considering options for tobacco licenses, but the interests of citizens as well. After he asked the Council Members to help build the City for citizens, Mayor Ali thanked him for participating in the Strategic Planning Kick-Off Sessions.

Daurice Coaster, a citizen of Peoria, asked the Council to put citizens first when considering the proposed CO2 pipeline through Central Illinois. She said BioUrja Group and Wolf Carbon Solutions representatives were meeting soon at the George Washington Carver Center in Peoria, and she asked the Council to attend, noting victims of the Mississippi pipeline rupture would also be present.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Consideration of a Motion for the City Council to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), litigation, when an action against, affecting, or on behalf of the particular public body has been riled and is pending before a court of administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed session meeting; and 2(c)(21), discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes, or semi-annual review of the minutes.

Council Member Oyler moved to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), litigation, when an action against, affecting, or on behalf of the particular public body has been riled and is pending before a court of administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed session meeting; and 2(c)(21), discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes, or semi-annual review of the minutes; seconded by Council Member Vespa.

Motion to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), litigation, when an action against, affecting, or on behalf of the particular public body has been riled and is pending before a court of administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed session meeting; and 2(c)(21), discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes, or semi-annual review of the minutes was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Oyler moved to adjourn the July 11, 2023, Joint City Council and Town Board Meeting; seconded by Council Member Vespa.

Motion to adjourn the July 11, 2023, Joint City Council and Town Board Meeting was approved by roll call vote.

Yeas: Allen, Cyr, Gordon-Young, Grayeb, Kelly, Oyler, Velpula, Vespa, Mayor Ali – 9; Nays: None.

The Joint City Council and Town Board Meeting was adjourned at 8:36 P.M.

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